Rhoads’ best selling product is dentalium. She said Chrissy’s Creations sells over 50,000 lbs. of dentalium annually. Typically, each 8-ounce bag sells for around $45-$55. Chrissy’s Creations ...

The journey of dentalium shells across the continent illuminates a sophisticated network of Indigenous trade that predated European arrival. “Oftentimes people become a little confused in the idea ...

Jaques made dentalium necklaces that the seniors presented to the Siletz representatives. “The necklaces that we gave, dentalium, are really important in coastal tribes and it’s been used for ...

This past weekend, you could easily spot flocks of stylish Indigenous folks parading across Santa Fe, New Mexico—all decked out in their finest gowns, dentalium shell necklaces, and beaded earrings.

For generations, Native American tribes have prized dentalium shells. These smooth, white shells were more than decoration. They were currency, status symbols and sacred objects. Before European ...

Artist and entrepreneur Tipiziwin Tolman, or Yellow Lodge Woman, is Wičhíyena Dakȟóta and Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She started making dentalium earrings about 14 years ago ...

“Dentalium is really special to me because it reminds me of my grandma,” Lucero said. Supporting native artists can also look differently, like the Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo.

Doug Barrett, Chief of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, places a dentalium shell necklace on the small child he holds. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News ...

The Manitoba Museum has a small collection of dentalium pieces. A cape covered in dentalium sits in the gallery, and earrings and hair ties are stored in the museum’s Hudson’s Bay Collection.

Market goers at Santa Fe Market (photo Erin Joyce/ Hyperallergic) SANTA FE — As the sun beat down on attendees, this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market felt like a hot one, but not only in ...

For this series, Koyczan—based in Winnipeg, Canada—reimagined Indigenous cultural materials such as beads, porcupine quills, dentalium shells, and even antlers into mesmerizing humanlike ...